Wednesday, October 6, 2010

"Don't worry darling, you didn't burn the beer!"


This ad for Schlitz beer was first printed in 1952. It says in the fine print:

"Anyway, you didn't burn the Schlitz!" There's hope for any young bride who knows her man well enough to serve him Schlitz Beer. For what man (or woman) can resist the taste of Schlitz Beer...a taste millions prefer to the taste of any other beer. No, we're not just saying that. Here's the simple proof: Schlitz tastes so good to so many people, it's first in sales in the U.S.A.

Where to start? Well, before we do anything else let's examine the year this was advertised. The 50s was a decade well known for sexist remarks. First, take a look at this clip from an episode of Leave it to Beaver. The father says that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Next, the ending of the 1956 film Indestructible Man suggests that a woman should feel privileged to do nothing but serve her husband as a wife that keeps house. Ambitions of having a career for women are apparently not important at all.

Now let's attempt to analyze what we see in this particular ad. The wife appears to be distraught at her inability to prepare her husband a meal. The food is burned, implying that women in general cannot cook. She is crying into a handkerchief because women, as the ad infers, are weak and easily controlled by their emotions. We know this to be an unfair generalization, but the ad says otherwise. Although his cannot-do-anything-right wife has spoiled supper, the husband is still satisfied because she was able to provide him with something invulnerable to her lack of culinary expertise. "Anyway, you didn't burn the Schlitz!" This ad makes the implication that Schlitz beer is all it takes to make a man happy. And look! There are two beers on the table! How generous he is to share with his lowly wife. She should feel so privileged.

However, if you think sexist ads are a thing of the past, think again. Bud Lite recently televised an eerily similar ad insisting that good wives should provide their husbands with beer. A word of advice, be vigilant when exposed to advertisements. They will try to take advantage of you and belittle your dignity.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Pan Crusted Grilled Fish

One of my favorite dishes to prepare is pan crusted grilled fish. You may ask yourself, "Fish? What kind of fish?" Well, I realize that just having "fish" in the title is very vague, but that is because it can be prepared basically the same way for a variety of fish. I personally use catfish, salmon, and tilapia, but you may use whatever you like. Firstly select a filet of your favorite fish. Make sure to wash it well and clean any scales off if necessary. Pat dry the filet with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Beat one egg in a dish until it is mostly yellow. Dip the filet in the egg, and make sure to completely cover the entire fish. To bread the fish, I use Panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle these all over on side of the filet. Prepare a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Evenly distribute it over the surface of the skillet to maintain consistency. Take the filet and place it crumb side down on the skillet. If necessary, pour some of the remaining egg mix to the top of the filet. Then sprinkle Panko on the top side as well. After two or three minutes, flip the filet on its other side. Cook for two or three more minutes and remove the filet from the skillet. It should be a golden-brown color. Because I prefer food to have a little extra spice, I add a garlic chili sauce such as Lee-Kum-Kee or Heavenly Chef. If you want to play it on the safe side, you can just add some lemon or lime to the fish. It is delicious either way. I had four filets of tilapia last night. As you can see, I love this dish, and hopefully you will too!

For a visual demonstration of how to prepare this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3J7rQ_kgMU